Breed Reclassification Process Underway American Staffordshire Terrier American Bully Working Pit Bulldog As a continuation of my article in the last Any new single registrations of AKC and a distinct stop. Ears can be cropped issue of the Gazette, What In Your Pedigree? registered American Staffordshire or natural, set high on the skull. The dog’s I hope to give readers some of the details Terriers will be registered as American muzzle is medium in length with jaws of the reassigning of dogs from certain Staffordshire Terriers with the ADBA. well defined, lips close and even without bloodlines formerly registered as American Any current ADBA registered dogs with looseness. Pit Bull Terriers into breed reclassifications 75% or more of AKC registered American The dogs coat is short, glossy and that more distinctly defines their breed Staffordshire Terriers within their ancestry slightly stiff to the touch in any color or type. The registration department has and exhibiting American Staffordshire combination of colors… but all white, more painstakingly done the research on the Terrier breed type can elect to have their than 80% white, black and tan and liver registrations of dogs currently being dog recognized under the breed name should not be encouraged. Dogs with the processed using photos submitted and online American Staffordshire Terrier. merle color pattern will not be registered to understand the type of dogs that certain within the American Staffordshire Terrier kennels and bloodlines are producing. A breed classification with the ADBA. dog’s registration with another kennel club Height and weight should be in as a breed other than the American Pit Bull proportion. Males should be 18 to 19 Terrier also qualifies a dogs in moving to inches at the withers and females should be that breed classification with the American 17 to 18 inches preferred. Dog Breeders Association. American Bully The breed names for the dogs being The American Bully developed as moved from the American Pit Bull Terrier a natural extension of UKC registered stud book to another breed classification American Pit Bull Terriers mated with include American Staffordshire Terrier, AKC registered American Staffordshire American Bully and the Working Pit Terrier; different varieties of the same breed Bulldog. based on bloodline history. In addition, American Staffordshire speculation has been made by the UKC, Terrier: Breed Type the original registration office for these Because of the close genetic history to dogs, that the breed was influenced by the The American Kennel Club opened their the American Pit Bull Terrier, the general stud book in 1936 to select UKC and ADBA infusion of other bull breeds that have not look of the American Staffordshire Terriers specifically been identified. The breeders registered American Pit Bull Terriers due should reflect this relationship. The to the popularity of the dog Petey of ‘My of these dogs have developed the dogs for a American Staffordshire Terrier should give specific build and temperament so unique, Gang Comedy’ fame. The breed name the impression of overall strength for his was changed, at that time, to American that it needs to be recognized as a separate size, muscular, but still agile and graceful breed. Staffordshire Terrier for the dogs admitted – not coarse or bulky. He should appear into the AKC stud book. The history shows Dogs from bloodlines known for stocky, with wide shoulders and hip, not producing dogs exhibiting these physical that no other breeds have been in fluxed into long legged or racy in outline. He should the development of these dogs. Fanciers characteristic currently registered as carry himself with confidence, being keenly American Pit Bull Terriers within the ADBA developed a standard for their dogs and alert to his surroundings. His courage is the breeding goal of many of the breeders stud book will be moved to the designation proverbial. The dogs head is distinctly of American Bully as the breed: was for the look of the dog, not the heritage deep and board with pronounced cheeks purpose as an athletic fighting dog. American Bully: Breed Type uncharacteristic and is highly undesirable The American Bully appearance should within the breed. reflect their strong American Pit Bull Overall soundness of body and Terrier foundation – being compact and temperament should never be sacrificed in heavily muscled with a blocky head, short favor of size or mass. Breeders have the and wide muzzle with a deep stop and responsibility to avoid any exaggerations prominent cheeks. Ears may be trimmed or that are detrimental to the health and natural. A thick and well muscled neck welfare and essence of this breed. Two transitioning into a level top line is also varieties will be recognized within the characteristic to the breed. breed, the Classic and Standard. The Classic American Bully will exhibit more length of leg with moderate width in the Bull Terrier origins. Dogs weighing over front and rear displaying athleticism and 75 pounds currently registered as American stamina. Pit Bull Terriers and tracing back to the bloodlines that were developed as working Working Pit Bulldog dogs used for weight pulling or other The ADBA Board Of Directors would working purposes are being reclassified like to thank the breeders for their input and into the breed designation Working Pit taking the time to help with the foundation Bulldog. process in establishing this new breed. The The conformation characteristics of this new breed name was selected with input breed should reflect their strong American from the breeders and owners of these dogs. Pit Bull Terrier foundation. Generally Working reflects the purpose of the dogs these dogs stand tall with length of leg, away from the traditional use of the terrier large bones with health and soundness – to a working dog. The Pit in the name of body and temperament. Body type is Classic identifies the foundation stock as being rectangular with a wide loin and hip and American Pit Bull Terrier and Bulldog a well developed backend to match the The body shape of the American Bully is tracing back the influence of the historic well developed musculature of the front rectangular with a short back, wide shoulder working Bulldog in England that was used assembly. The dogs have a short, glossy and hips, a wide barrel chest and heavy as one of the dogs used in the development slightly bristled coat in any color or any bone with compact feet. The American of the American Pit Bull Terrier. combination of colors excluding the Bully is a short coated breed, with a smooth, merle color pattern. Dogs with the merle glossy slightly bristled coat of any color or Working Pit Bulldogs: color pattern will not be accepted for combination of colors excluding merle. Breed Type registration. Dogs with the merle color pattern will not The dogs conforming to this breed type Any dog weighing over 135 pounds be accepted for registration. were developed over the course of a 31 year (lean weight) at two years of age will not be The breed was developed for a unique history of the sport of weight puling. Select registered. Any dogs exhibiting extremes temperament: dogs being accepted as American Pit Bull Terriers were bred for in conformation with associated health an American Bully must exhibit the their working ability and this competitive problems will not be registered. temperament of confidence, vitality and sport. The sizes of the dogs were greatly alertness, along with a strong willingness increased by various breeding practices Conformation Standards to please and a bond to their owners. Dogs including a suspected influx of other large ADBA Conformation Standards for the will be friendly with children, strangers working breeds. In addition to size, the American Staffordshire Terrier, American dogs’ basic temperament also changed Bully and the Working Pit Bulldog are from a traditional terrier type to a working being developed and will be on the ADBA website within the coming months. Once the conformation standards are complete and accepted, it is our expectations that they will be used in judging the corresponding breeds in ADBA Sanctioned conformation shows for the selection of brood stock exhibiting excellent breed type with soundness of both conformation and temperament. The breed standards will also serve as a guideline for future breeders of these dogs and will assist them in moving forward in terms of recognition and respect Standard type dog. The dog is stable of temperament in the world of purebred dogs. showing no human aggression. The dogs’ Please visit the ADBA webiste www. and other animals. Man or dog aggression willingness to please its owner and work adba.cc for more information as the breed of any degree or extreme shyness is gamely is reflective of its American Pit standards for these dogs develop. .